Anvil is an inspirational documentary which provides witness to the power of the human spirit, played to a heavy metal soundtrack.

Here is persistence in action and commitment personified, as the dream of two aging head banging Canucks slowly comes into fruition, with many hard yards tread along the way.

The film begins with high accolades from varied rock figures, spliced with archive footage of Anvil playing in front of thousands of thrashing Japanese fans.

On that day, Anvil shared the stage with the likes of The Scorpions, Whitesnake, and Bon Jovi. All would go on to sell millions, with the exception of our men, who almost 30 years on are still chugging in their Canadian home base.   

Lead vocalist and guitarist Lips works in catering, dispatching food to high schools. Drummer Robb works in demolition and is deep in therapy. Both lifelong friends are pushing 50, and are still waiting for their big break.

A subsequent European tour, which wonderfully captures their disastrous attempt to forge a comeback which often saw them play in front of a handful of people, is an example of the poor management which Anvil had put up with through their career.

Later, an attempt to shop their new album to disinterested record labels displays the cruel shake of the music industry.

And yet the band marches on.

Capturing their public failings and candid confessions is director Sacha Gervasi. He was a roadie for the band during the 1980s, and played drums for alternate British act, Bush (before they were famous).

Gervasi knows the trials and pitfalls in the attempt to become a successful artist, and presents the heartache felt, and sacrifices given in the life of these musicians, and interweaves them with testimonials from family and friends who patiently offer their support, and bear witness to every failing.

It is then uplifting to find that the end is a new beginning, with our men Lips and Robb –with their ying and yang of childlike dreamer and soulful introvert, respectively – given the chance to “keep on rocking”.

Catch a glimpse if they hit your town, just to see an example of what faith in dreams looks like.